Tuesday, November 27, 2007

The Backwoods World of Norman F. Pettingill




Just finding out about this artist, who did a series of incredible black and white ink postcards in the early 1950s. I understand that the Kohler Center has a collection of original pen and ink drawings in their collection. Anxious to learn more...

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Masterpiece Museum of American Folk Art piece in this RPPC




Incredible, original early 1920's RPPC, Real Photo Postcard of a High Wheel Bicycle Carving that is now in the Museum of American Folk Art in NYC.

Currently listed on eBay, the seller's description continues:

According to a newspaper article recently it stated that the Trade Sign which is in the Museum was a "life-size wooden messenger mounted on a high-wheel bicycle that served as a trade sign for a repair shop in Vermon". This Photo shows the Sign at S.V.Holden, Antiques, Brattleboro, VT Wantastiquet Inn. The other amazing and more prominent subject matter of this photo is the Huge Presumably Carved Stagecoach and TWO HORSES.

Monday, November 19, 2007

"Yellow Kid" Mask in Rare Tintype



Don't get me started about the political incorrectness of the Yellow Kid character, but this is an incredible shot.

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Folk Art Carved Eagle Lectern


19th Century African American Folk Art Limberjack



Nice 19th century folk art carved limberjack I recently got on eBay. Quality ones like this are getting so damn hard to find these days. I'd say that only 2-3 really nice ones have shown up on eBay all year. Well, needless to say, I paid a lot (for me) for this, but it was a hell of a lot cheaper than what something like this would bring at auction these days.

1950's Cowboy Teens with Nice Patterns


Pretty funny shot of some cowboy teens in the 1950's. Love the visual cacophony of their plaid shirts against the drape fabric. The one guy on the right has his black leather drinking glove on!

Saturday, November 10, 2007

Calvin Black Possum Trot Figure Sells For $ 82,500.00!!!




This Calvin Black Possum Trot figure just sold for a hammer price of $ 82,500.00 at the Slotin auction! I know the folk art market has been pretty heated over the last few years, but this one really surprised me. It wasn't long ago that Christie's Robert Greenberg Collection of Folk Art came to market with just so-so results and a similar figure sold for $ 13,145.00 (as listed in Slotin's description). Slotin had an estimate of $ 6,000-12,000) for this one. Some very happy people at that auction house right now.

Sunday, November 4, 2007

Original 1900's Photo of the RED CROSS QUILT of Rensselaer County



Wow, this is one of the best vintage photographs that I've seen in a loooong time! A graphic tour de force, this is labeled as a "Red Cross" quilt and you can see in the detail shot that there are actually names either written or embroidered within the design. Absolutely incredible!

Friday, November 2, 2007

Reverend J.E. Cross "Artist Evangelist"


Very rare cabinet card of the Reverend J.E. Cross "Artist Evangelist" and his family. Great image of one of his paintings in the background!

Thursday, November 1, 2007

African American Quilts






Some nice African American quilts from the upcoming auction from the collection of Jonathan Demme.